Easter Prayer

My Risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss and

adore the Glorious Wounds in Your

Feet and ask You to help me fly from

all occasions of sin and walk the way

of Christian Holiness till I come to

the home of Paradise.

My Risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss the

Glorious Wounds of Your Hands and

ask that You deliver me from all evil

of body, mind and soul with Your

Wounded Hands.

My Risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss the

Glorious Wound of Your Side and ask

that You kindle in my heart the fire of

love here, that I may hereafter love

You eternally in Heaven.

Finally, I pray, O most Holy Virgin Mary

by the great joy on seeing Your Risen

and Glorified Son, that you obtain

for me the grace to rise, also after my

death to the Eternal Glory of Paraidse.

Hail Mary (three times)

EWTN Global Catholic Network

5817 Old Leeds Road * Irondale, AL 35210

The Five Fatima Prayers That Every Catholic Should Know About

Today marks the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima's first apparition to the shepherd children. This extraordinary event invites us to rediscover the relevance of the Fatima messages in our present day and age and we do so by incorporating these special Fatima prayers during our prayer time.

The apparition of an angel and Our Lady to three poor children in Fatima, Portugal in the early 20th century is one of the most famous miracles in the Catholic world.

The children received many messages, mostly calling for personal conversion and prayer, as well as the words of 5 new prayers.

The first prayer is one many Catholics are likely already familiar with, but the other 4 are not as well-known.

Here are the 5 prayers given to the children at Fatima:

1) The Fatima Prayer/Decade Prayer

“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Amen.”

Mary told the children that people should add this prayer to the end of each decade of the Rosary.


2) The Pardon Prayer

“My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! I beg pardon for all those that do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee.”

This prayer was given to the children by the angel that visited them in 1916, the year before Mary appeared to them.


3) The Angel’s Prayer

“O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary I beg the conversion of poor sinners.”

This is another prayer given to them by the angel. There was a Eucharistic host and chalice suspended in the air, and the angel led them in kneeling before it and praying this prayer.


4) The Eucharistic Prayer

“Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, my God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament.”

When Mary appeared to the children for the first time on May 13, 1917, she said, “You will have much to suffer, but the grace of God will be your comfort.” According to Lucia, one of the children, a bright light shone all around them, and without thinking about it, they all started reciting this prayer.


5) The Sacrifice Prayer

“O Jesus, it is for the love of Thee, in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for the conversion of poor sinners [that I do this].”

Mary gave the children this prayer, as well as the Fatima Prayer/Decade Prayer, on June 13th, 1917. The prayer is meant to be recited when you are offering up suffering to God.

So get praying!


[Source: Church Pop]

Litany of Humility

The Litany of Humility is a beautiful litany that will help us grow in the virtue of humility composed by Rafael Cardinal Merry de Val (1865-1930), the Secretary of State for Pope St. Pius X. Pride is one of the deadly sins and we should strive to do our best to root out this sin in our soul. Jesus Christ is our perfect model of humility. He asks us to learn from Him for he is "meek and humble of heart" (Matt 11:29). The picture above depicts the Crowning of Thorns when Jesus bore all kinds of insults, mockery, and humiliation in order to atone of this sin. 

Read also The Twelve Degrees of Humility by St. Benedict.

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me. 

From the desire of being esteemed,

Deliver me, Jesus. (repeat after each line)

From the desire of being loved, 

From the desire of being extolled, 

From the desire of being honored, 

From the desire of being praised, 

From the desire of being preferred to others, 

From the desire of being consulted, 

From the desire of being approved, 

From the fear of being humiliated, 

From the fear of being despised, 

From the fear of suffering rebukes, 

From the fear of being calumniated, 

From the fear of being forgotten, 

From the fear of being ridiculed, 

From the fear of being wronged, 

From the fear of being suspected, 

That others may be loved more than I, 

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. (repeat after each line) 

That others may be esteemed more than I , 

That, in the opinion of the world, 

others may increase and I may decrease, 

That others may be chosen and I set aside, 

That others may be praised and I unnoticed, 

That others may be preferred to me in everything, 

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should. 

Love of the Cross

This Black Saturday, let us all contemplate on the love of the Cross, the chief instrument of our salvation.

In the Cross is salvation, in the Cross is life, in the Cross is protection against our enemies, in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness, in the Cross is strength of mind, in the Cross joy of spirit, in the Cross the height of virtue, in the Cross the perfection of holiness.

There is no salvation of the soul, nor hope of everlasting life, but in the Cross. Take up therefore thy Cross and follow Jesus, and thou shalt go into everlasting life. He went before, bearing His Cross, and died for thee on the Cross; that thou also might bear thy Cross and desire to die on the Cross.

For if thou be dead with Him, thou shall also in like manner live with Him. And if thou share His punishment, thou shall also share His glory. Behold! in the Cross all does consist, and in our dying all lieth; for there is no other way unto life, and unto true inward peace, but the way of the holy Cross, and of daily mortification.

(Thomas A. Kempis from The Imitation of Christ)

-oOo-

Our Blessed Lord to Sister Josefa Menendez:

"Whoever loves Me loves the Cross, and whoever loves the Cross loves me. Only those who love the Cross and embrace it willingly for love of Me will possess Eternal Life. Whoever generously accepts the Cross walks in true light, follows a straight and sure path, with no danger from steep inclines in which to slide, for there are none there."

-oOo-

Because Jesus loved us so much, He desired to be loved very much by us; and therefore He did everything that He could, even by suffering for us, in order to conciliate our love, and to show that there was nothing more that He could do to make us love Him. "He endured much weariness", says St. Bernard, "that He might bind man to love Him much."

The Sacred Wound in the Shoulder of Jesus

Today, Good Friday, let us meditate on the Sacred Wound in the Shoulder of our Lord Jesus.


It is related in the annals of Clairvaux that St. Bernard once asked our Lord which was His greatest unrecorded suffering and that our Lord condescended to answer:

"I had on my Shoulder, while I bore My Cross on the way of sorrow, a most grievous wound which was more painful to Me than the others and which is not recorded by men because they knew not of it. Honor the Wound with devotion and I will grant thee whatsoever thou dost ask through its virtue and merits; and in regard to all those who shall venerate this Wound, I will remit to them all their venial sins and will no more remember their mortal sins."

3 Paters 3 Aves 3 Glorias

-oOo-

SALUTATION OF THE WOUND IN THE SHOULDER OF JESUS

O most loving Jesus, meekest Lamb of God, I, a miserable sinner, salute and worship the most Sacred Wound of Thy Shoulder on which Thou didst bear Thy heavy Cross, which so tore Thy flesh and laid bare Thy bones as to inflict on Thee an anguish greater than any other wound of Thy most Blessed Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus most sorrowful. I praise Thee, I bless Thee and glorify Thee and give Thee thanks for this most sacred and most painful Wound. Beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain, and the crushing burden of Thy heavy Cross, to be merciful to me, a sinner, to forgive me all my mortal and venial sins, and to lead me on towards Heaven along the way of the Cross.

Amen.

Prayer to the Agonizing Jesus in Gethsemane

Today, Maundy Thursday, let us reflect on the agonies of our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane through this beautiful prayer composed by St. Padre Pio. 

Jesus, in the excess of Thy love, and for Thy victory over the hardness of our hearts, give many graces to those who meditate on and diffuse the devotion to Thy Holy Passion in Gethsemane.

I pray for the desire to set my heart and my soul to thinking often of Thy bitter agony in the Garden, pitying Thee and joining myself to Thee as far as possible.

Holy Jesus, Who bore in that night the weight of all our faults, and Who paid for them completely, give me the great gift of perfect contrition for my numerous faults, which made Thee sweat blood.

Holy Jesus, through Thy very great struggle in Gethsemane, give me the ability to win a complete and definitive victory over temptations, and especially over those to which I am most subjected.

Suffering Jesus, through the anxieties, the fears, and the unknown but very intense pains Thou didst suffer in the night in which Thou wast betrayed, give me a complete understanding of Thy Will, and strength to do it, by giving me the ever present thought of the great effort and fearful struggle Thou didst bear victoriously, in order to do not Thy Will but the Father's.

Blessed be Thou, very sweet but vastly saddened Jesus, for the prayer, human but divine, which overflowed from Thy agonizing Heart in the night of the unthankfulness and treason.

Eternal Father, I offer Thee all the past, present and future Holy Masses united to the agonizing Jesus in the Garden of Olives.


Most Holy Trinity, make the knowledge and the love of the Holy Passion of Gethsemane diffuse itself through the whole world. Make those who love Thee, Jesus, seeing Thy Crucifix remember too Thy incredible pains in the Garden, and, following Thy example, learn to pray well, to fight and win, and thus to come to the Glory of Heaven. So be it.

Prayer of Peace for Nations

"O Jesus bring me peace. Bring peace to my nation and all those countries torn asunder because of war and division. Sow the seeds of peace amongst those hardened hearts who cause suffering to others in the name of justice. Give all of God's children the graces to receive Your peace so that love and harmony can thrive, so that love for God will triumph over evil and that souls can be saved from the corruption of falsities, cruelty and evil ambition. Let peace reign over all of those who devote their lives to the Truth of Your Holy Word and even those who don't know You at all. Amen."

#prayfortheworld #prayforparis

[Photo credit: via 100% Katolikong Pinoy FB page]

Prayer to Renew the Sanctity and Beauty of Human Sexuality

The world celebrates Gay Pride on the last week of June (in remembrance of the Stonewall riots). The Church respects and honors the dignity of all human beings including homosexuals. As Christians, we believe that their full dignity is in the identity of being redeemed children of God and that their true freedom lies in obedience to God's will. In this regard, we request an hour of adoration in June to be offered for the realization of this truth and for the above prayer, "Prayer to Renew the Sanctity and Beauty of Human Sexuality", to be said at least once on the last week of June with an act of mortification to be lovingly offered as reparation.

The LGBT community uses the rainbow as their icon. The rainbow of biblical account is God's covenant after the big flood and a continuation of God's deliverance done through Noah's ark for those obedient to His will. The Noah's ark also housed and saved the male and female of every species with which to renew life. This is our contemporary Noah's ark moment when we give glory to God for saving His obedient children and for protecting and upholding the male and female union of every species to renew and sustain life.

Below is a brief explanation of the logo that you see above which was designed by one of our Courage brothers.

a. Male and female icons in place and they are united in Christ and the Divine Mercy watches over them. The rays can actually be seen as like a light from a lighthouse too guiding the ark's navigation.

b. The cross is gold which is the true treasure of the Church.

c. Background is sky blue which is Marian. But the one below is gray which is the flood and the challenges that face the ark.

d. Outer ring is maroon which is the color of Courage. Interestingly enough, this can also be crimson which is what the claws of the dove became when it came back to Noah after checking if there's already dry land.

Please feel free to forward this beautiful prayer to everyone you know. You can download a soft copy of this prayer by right clicking on the image above and click 'Save As' or you can send me an e-mail at couragemanila@yahoo.com if you want to receive the original soft copy. Thank you.

Prayer: A Dialogue of Love

Forwarded invitation.

Congress on Prayer in Celebration of the 5th Birth Centenary of St. Teresa of Avila

OVERVIEW

2015. 50 years of Vatican Council II. 500 years of the birth of St. Teresa of Avila, Daughter and Doctor of the Church. The congruence of St. Teresa’s vision of a renewed Carmel for the sake of the Church and the Council’s vision of a renewed Church is no mere coincidence. It is co-mutual.The paths to holiness which is the foundation where all pastoral initiatives must be set are personal and call for a genuine ‘training in holiness’ adapted to people’s needs. This training, calls for a Christian life distinguished above all in the art of prayer.

WHAT INITIATIVE CAN CARMEL OFFER IN RESPONSE?

We can show what depths a friendly relationship with Jesus can lead. We can share how prayer can progress as a genuine “What kind of love would not feel the need to speak of the Beloved, to point him out, to make him known? Celebrating Saint Teresa of Avila’s 5th birth centenary by way of a Congress on Prayer on March 15, 2015 is a providential opportunity for the entire Carmelite Family to share with everyone the way of prayer from the school of the first woman Doctor of the Church. It is programmed to facilitate encounter with Christ through liturgical and contemplative prayer by way of the Liturgy of the Hours; chants; silent prayer; presentations on the prayer of Christ and the Church, Teresian prayer from the point of attraction to intimate friendship, and, tracking St. Teresa’s way of life; capped by the Eucharistic celebration. The prayerful nature of the Congress encourages all attendees to be generous by way of their active and passive participation.

PROGRAM AGENDA

CONGRESS ON PRAYER

8:00 – 8:05

National Anthem

8:05 – 8:10

Welcome Remarks

Very Reverend Reynaldo Sotelo, OCD

Commissar, Order of Discalced Carmelites

Philippines-Vietnam Circumscription

8:10 – 8:30

Procession / Enthronement

8:30 – 9:00

Liturgy of the Hours

9:00 – 9:10

Orientation

9:15 –10:00

1st Presentation

PRAYER OF JESUS, PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Presenter:

His Excellency Bishop Mylo Hubert C. Vergara, DD

10:00 –10:30

BREAK

10:30 –11:30

2nd Presentation

SPIRITUAL LIFE: THE POINT OF ATTRACTION

Presenter:

Ms. Imelda D. Ramos, OCDS

President, Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in the Philippines

11:30 –11:35

SILENT PRAYER

11:35 –11:45

Production Number

11:45 –11:50

ANGELUS

11:50 – 1:00

LUNCH BREAK

1:00 – 1:10

Production Number

1:15 – 2:15

3rd Presentation

SPIRITUAL LIFE: WHEN THE WORD OF MY FRIEND PREVAILS

Presenter:

Fr. Mariano Agruda III, OCD

Prior, Our Lady’s Hill Center for Spirituality

2:15 – 2:20

SILENT PRAYER

2:20 – 2:40

4th Presentation

On the Tracks of St. Teresa: Her Way, Our Way

Presenter:

Sr. May Catherine Salvatierra, OCD

President, Association of Discalced Carmelite Nuns in the Philippines

2:40 – 2:45

SILENT PRAYER

2:45 – 3:15

BREAK

3:15 – 3:30

SILENT PRAYER

3:30 – 5:00

HOLY MASS

Presider: His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle

Closing Remarks

Fr. Danilo D. Lim, OCD

Chairman, National Commission

CLOSING

Singing of GOD ALONE IS ENOUGH

-oOo-

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is this Congress on Prayer all about, and when and where will it take place?

A:It is called “Prayer, A Dialogue of Love,” to be held from 8AM to 5PM, on March 15, 2015, that’s a Sunday, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.  It is being held to celebrate the 500^th birth anniversary of St. Teresa of Avila, which is on March 28, 2015.

Q2. Briefly, who is St. Teresa of Avila?

A:St. Teresa of Avila, also known by her religious name, Teresa of Jesus, is a Spanish Saint and mystic who was hailed as a Teacher of Prayer and the first woman Doctor of the Church (in 1970 when all of the 30 Doctors of the Church were male).

Q3. St. Teresa of Avila doesn’t seem to be that known in the Philippines.  Is she the one who carries roses and a crucifix?

A. No, that pretty saint with the roses is St. Therese of Lisieux, or St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who is widely popular in the Philippines. If St. Teresa of Avila were a mother, St. Therese of Lisieux who is 358 years younger would be her great greatgreatgreatgreat granddaughter.  You do the math.  Therese entered the Order of Discalced Carmelites 306 years after its founder St. Teresa died. Now that the Church is celebrating St. Teresa’s 500^th  birth anniversary, it’s the perfect time to make her spirituality better known to the Filipinos.

Q4. How relevant would St. Teresa of Avila’s spirituality be, after all—you know—she’s five centuries old?

A.It’s easy to see how the contribution of this Doctor of the Church fits into our world.  She asks of us to see that the relativism prevalent in the West is now increasingly becoming a global reality.  Our world now is pretty much like in St. Teresa’s time, and as Pope Francis’ EvangeliiGaudium says: “If something should rightly disturb us and trouble our consciences, it is the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ … THE CHURCH URGENTLY NEEDS THE DEEP BREATH OF PRAYER.”

Q5. I see you quoted from a Church document.  How does St. Teresa’s teaching sync with that?

A.To help us re-evaluate human dignity, which is threatened by today’s culture, we have St. Teresa’s vision of the human person as the dwelling place of God, open to communion with Him as a friend, able to welcome Him at the center of his soul.  Continuing with EvangeliiGaudium, Pope Francis says: “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.”  Marvelous, isn’t it?  “Evangeliigaudium” is Latin for “joy of the Gospel.”  Now, it’s time for St. Teresa’s children in Carmel to go and deliver this invitation to joy!

Q6. What is the objective then of your Congress on Prayer?

A.  The central objective is TO HERALD PRAYER AS AN EXPERIENCE OF FRIENDSHIP AND A DEEPENING ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST.  That’s why we’ve called it “Prayer: A Dialogue of Love”—focusing on a relationship which is that personal.

Q7. So it’s a whole day affair.  Who may participate in it?  Is it open to everybody?

A.   Much as we wish to, we can’t make it a “General Patronage” thing like in the movies where everyone aged 1-100 is welcome.  This Congress on Prayer would be appreciated by—and therefore welcomes—those aged sixteen (16) and above, AND (this is important) IS INTERESTED TO BEGIN AND MATURE in a life of prayer. 

Q8. Hmmm, sounds like it’s only for nuns and priests…?

A.  Certainly not, in fact, laypersons might benefit most from it.  Although it is an initiative of the Order of Discalced Carmelite friars, nuns and seculars, priests, nuns and seminarians of various Religious Orders welcome it as a response to a great need in the Church.  The Congress on Prayer is open to laypeople like professionals and college students, lay associations, parish mandated organizations, parish pastoral council members and commissioned ministers, and transparochial communities.

Q9. Wow, that’s a lot!  And what would it cost someone to attend the Congress?

A.   The good news is, admission is free, but with MoA Arena issued tickets.  For the welfare of the participants, MoA imposes a No-Ticket-No-Entry policy, so do take note, don’t come empty-handed!

Q10. And how does one get tickets?

A.  Attendees have to fill out Registration Forms, whether they belong to big groups or small groups or wish to attend as individuals.

The registration form is downloadable from our website, www.teresa500philippines.com  You may also register through Facebook, teresaofjesus500@gmail.com

Registration Forms for Ticket Reservations may also be obtained from the Congress on Prayer Secretariat with contact details: Telephone numbers: (02) 722-4667; (02) 721-4252; (02) 710-2641; 0939-9207365; 0906-5732305. You may also email us for additional information: teresa500philippines@gmail.com

Q11. Since it’s going to be a whole-day event, may we bring along food?

A.  So sorry but that’s another policy that MoA management strictly imposes on attendees: “No bringing in of food.”  Snacks, however, will be available at Php 80.00 and lunch at Php 100.00 through the Arena concessionaires.  Persons with health conditions that require them to nibble at crackers or candy at prescribed hours may be allowed to bring in a packet or two, but please don’t try to smuggle in a whole carton for the whole barangay!

Q12. Could you give us an idea of what the program will contain more or less?

A.  Well, celebrating Saint Teresa of Avila’s 5th birth centenary through a Congress on Prayer is a providential opportunity for the entire Carmelite Family to share with everyone the way of prayer from the school of the first woman Doctor of the Church. The prayerful nature of the Congress should facilitate encounter with Christ through a program that includes liturgical and contemplative prayer through the Liturgy of the Hours; chants; silent prayer; presentations on the prayer of Christ and the Church, Teresian prayer from the point of attraction to intimate friendship, and, tracking St. Teresa’s way of life.  The day will be capped by the Eucharistic celebration with His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as Presider.

Q13. That sounds promising, but can ordinary people like us digest that?  May we know who the speakers are?

A.  We assure you of very substantial but highly digestible inputs.  We have as first speaker His Excellency Bishop Mylo Hubert C. Vergara, DD, presenting “PRAYER OF JESUS, PRAYER OF THE CHURCH.”  Then we have Ms. Imelda D. Ramos, OCDS, President, Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in the Philippines, with her piece, “SPIRITUAL LIFE: THE POINT OF ATTRACTION.”  This is followed by Fr. Mariano Agruda III, OCD, Prior of Our Lady’s Hill Center for Spirituality presenting “SPIRITUAL LIFE: WHEN THE WORD OF MY FRIEND PREVAILS.”  Finally we have “On the Tracks of St. Teresa: Her Way, Our Way” by Sr. May Catherine Salvatierra, OCD, President of the Association of Discalced Carmelite Nuns in the Philippines

Q14. If the Congress on Prayer is to be summed up in 50 words or less, what would its essence be?

A.  The Congress’ name, “A Dialogue of Love” should give you a clue.  St. Teresa defines prayer as “Nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.”  That quote contains only 23 words—but that should give you an idea what to expect on March 15, Mall of Asia Arena.  See you there! 

Reparational Prayer Request for Gay Pride Month

The month of June is celebrated worldwide as gay pride month. Our friend from Toronto, Canada is asking everyone to sign up for an hour of prayer in the Blessed Sacrament to pray for these intentions. Please visit the weblinks below for more information. Thank you.

Dear Courage Manila,

Greetings again in the Lord!

I'm writing to ask for your support for our campaign of reparational prayer during Toronto's Pride Week, now underway. Our city is in great spiritual need, and this year's festival is the dress rehearsal before it hosts World Pride 2014.

In this our second annual campaign, Charity, Clarity, Chastity invites people to sign up for an hour of prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, to pray for those three intentions.

Would you please be so kind as to share this link on your blog.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4DA8AA28A57-charity

Participation from the Philippines would be most helpful in covering some of the slots in the schedule that are harder for Canadians to fill because for us they are in the middle of the night. And regrettably, much debauchery overnight can be expected this weekend. So too can much desolation be expected.

I have posted some further thoughts on our blog here.
http://thesheepfold.typepad.com/the_sheepcat/2013/06/charity-clarity-chastity-prayer-pride-toronto.html

Of course we would be glad to reciprocate in prayer for you, as for example we did in connection with your country's "reproductive health" bill.

Thanks and God bless,

Alan

A New Year's Prayer

Prayer For Strength and Wisdom

Grant me the strength from day to day
To bear what burdens come my way.
Grant me throughout this bright New Year
More to endure and less to fear.
Help me live that I may be
From spite and petty malice free.

Let me not bitterly complain
When cherished hopes of mine prove vain,
Or spoil with deeds of hate and rage
Some fair tomorrow's spotless page.
Lord, as the days shall come and go
In courage let me stronger grow.

Lord, as the New Year dawns today
Help me to put my faults away.
Let me be big in little things;
Grant me the joy which friendship brings.
Keep me from selfishness and spite;
Let me be wise in what is right.

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye.
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.

--Edgar A. Guest

Prayer for Healing

I got this prayer after I attended one of Fr. Suarez's healing masses. Pray this with faith.

Lord, look upon me with eyes of mercy.
May Your healing Spirit rest upon me.
It is through Your power that I was created.
Since You created me from nothing, You can certainly recreate me.
Fill me with the healing power of Your Spirit.
May Your life giving powers flow into every cell of my body and into the depths of my soul.
Mend what is broken. Cast out anything that should not be within me.
Rebuild my brokenness.

Restore my strength for service in Your Kingdom.
Touch my soul with Your compassion for others.
Touch my heart with Your courage and infinite love for all.
Touch my mind with Your wisdom, that my mouth may always proclaim Your praise.
Teach me to reach out to You in my need, and help me to lead others to You by my example.
Most loving Heart of Jesus bring me health in body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength.

Amen.

Prayer For Priests

This is from a booklet I got at the EDSA Shrine. Let's all pray for our priests. They need our prayers as much as we need theirs.


Why Do Priests Need Prayers?

From the world.

The priest has to walk through a world with his mind always on God. He must work in a world where pleasure is found in food and excitement; yet he is expected to find his happiness in the companionship of Christ. To live this difficult life, the priest must have much grace, and grace is obtained through prayer.

From the flesh.

The priest is called to a superhuman life; yet he remains a human being. If he is to resist the strong forces of his nature, and truly live an angelic life, he has to be full of the grace of God, and this is obtained only by prayer.

From the devil.

Satan hates Christ, and never ceases trying to destroy Him and His Church. If satan makes even one priest fail, it means the offering of far fewer Holy Masses. It means the glory of God is in some way injured. It means scores of souls are lost to Christ. So the devil lays his most cunning traps for priests, and prayer alone can keep them safe.

-oOo-

Prayer For Priests
(By St. Therese of the Child Jesus)

O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep your priests within the shelter of your Sacred Heart, where none may touch them. Keep unstained their anointed hands which daily touch your Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips daily purpled with Your Precious Blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood. Let your holy love surround them and shield them from the world's contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here, and in heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

-oOo-

Our Lord said to St. Teresa of Avila: "Occupy yourself with My interests and I'll occupy Myself with yours."

-oOo-

What Do We Get Out Of This?

When we pray for priests, we pray for ourselves, since a holy priesthood means a holier people.

When we pray for priests, we win the favor of Christ, for we are furthering His work and for vocations to the priesthood.

We are helping our children and our children's children by taking the surest means of preserving the FAITH for them.

Each priest, it is said, influences the lives of at least 5000 persons in his lifetime - for good or evil. His responsibility is tremendous!

"No matter how we seek," says the lovable Saint of Charity, Vincent the Paul, "we shall always discover ourselves unable to contribute to anything more great than to the making of good priests."

-oOo-

On Criticism of Priests
(Our Lord's revelation to Mutter Vogel)

"One should NEVER attack a Priest, even when he's in error, rather one should PRAY AND DO PENANCE that I'll grant him My grace again. He alone fully represents Me even when he doesn't live after My example!" (Page 29, Mutter Vogel's Worldwide Love, St. Grignion Publishing House, Altoting, South Germany) 26.6.1.929N

When a Priest falls, we should extend him a helping hand THROUGH PRAYER AND NOT THROUGH ATTACKS! "I myself will be his judge, NO ONE BUT I!" Whoever voices judgment over a priest has voiced it over me; child, never let a Priest be attacked, take up his defense." "If you hear a judgment (against a Priest), pray a HAIL MARY."

-oOo-

Prayer For The Sanctification of Priests

O Almighty Eternal God, look upon the Face of Your Son and for love of Him who is the Eternal High Priest have pity on your priests.

Remember, O Most Compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them by the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the bishop's hands. Keep them close to you, lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.

O Jesus, I pray for your faithful and fervent priests, for your unfaithful and tepid priests; for your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for your tempted priests; for the lonely and desolate priests; to your loving priests; for your dying priests; for the souls of your priests in purgatory.

But above all, I commend to You the priests dearest to me, the priest who baptized me, the priests who absolved me from my sins, the priests at whose masses I assisted and who gave me your Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priests who taught and instructed me or helped and encouraged me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any way. O Jesus, keep them all close to Your Heart and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen.

-oOo-

I enjoin everyone to please offer a prayer for Fr. Daniel Healy, Fr. Dave Clay, and Fr. Francis Montero, our beloved spiritual fathers and directors in Courage Philippines. Thank you.

Mary - The Immaculata

This is a most fitting prayer to obtain the grace of purity from Her who is the perfect model of this virtue and whose feast we celebrate today (Feast of the Immaculate Conception). I also added a brief reflection of Henri Nouwen on this feast.


“Immaculate Virgin Mary, I confide my chastity to your maternal heart. I ask your help to guard my senses, especially the eyes, for an unchaste eye is the messenger of an unchaste heart. Knowing my pride, I pray for that humility which invites the mercy of God. Knowing that I am human, I shall not be surprised at the urge of concupiscence, but trusting in your care I rely on your protection and all the graces that I need from your divine Son. Amen.”

-oOo-

In this feast it seems that all the quiet beauty of Advent suddenly bursts forth into exuberance and exultation. In Mary we see all the beauty of Advent concentrated. She is the one in whom the waiting of Israel is most fully and most purely manifested; she is the last of the remnant of Israel for whom God shows his mercy and fulfills his promises; she is the faithful one who believed that the promise made to her by the Lord would be fulfilled; she is the lowly handmaid, the obedient servant, the quiet contemplative. She indeed is the most prepared to receive the Lord.

It seems that there is no better time to celebrate this feast than during these Advent days. It is the celebration of the beauty of her who is ready to receive the Lord. It is like admiring the palace where the King will enter, the room to which the bridegroom will come, the garden where the great encounter will take place.

[Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Genesee Diary, pg. 174]

Spiritual Warfare Prayer

Spiritual warfare prayer courtesy of Robert Canton Ministries

Lord Jesus, You are my Savior and my Deliverer. I thank You for dying for me on the Cross, because through Your death and resurrection, You have set me free. I renounce right now any and all allegiance that I have ever given to Satan and his host of evil spirits. I resist them and I refuse to be intimidated or be used by them in any way whatsoever. I rebuke all their attacks upon my body, my emotion, my mind and spirit in the mighty name and by the power of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Jesus' name, I break the transmission of any and all satanic vows, spiritual bonds, pacts, soul ties and demonic works. I dissolve any and all curses, hexes, spells, traps, snares, obstacles, deceptions, lies, evil desires, evil wishes, hereditary seals, and every disease, infirmity and affliction from any source including my mistakes and sins by the blood of Jesus. In Jesus' name, I break and dissolve any and all evil effects or ties associated with astrologers, clairvoyants, channelers, charters, crystals and crystal healers, mediums, fortune tellers, occult seers, palm, tea leaf or tarot card readers, psychics, satanic cults, santeros, quack doctors, spirit guides, witches, witch doctors, superstitious beliefs and practices, and the new age movement. By the precious blood of Jesus, I break and dissolve all effects of participation in seances and divination, ouija boards, horoscopes, occult games, and any form of worship that does not offer true honor and recognition of the Holy Trinity and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

I stand secure upon the promises in the power of the Cross of Calvary whereby Satan and all his cohorts became defeated foes through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. I stand upon and claim all the promises of God's Word. In humble faith, I do here and now put the whole armor of God that protects and enables me to do battle and to stand firm against the schemes and tactics of the evil one. I take the authority given to me by the Lord Jesus Christ through my baptism to tread on the serpents and scorpions and on all the powers of the evil one. In faith, I cover myself, my loved ones and all our possessions with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus. I give You praise and honor and glory. You are the Victor over all evil and all glory belongs to You.

Fill me now with Your Holy Spirit and help me to become more like You. Mother Mary, I entreat you to place your mantle of protection upon me for you have crushed the head of the ancient serpent. I also ask for the protection of the Angels in heaven, the Angels of powers and virtues and healings, the Angels of love and joy and peace, the Angels of safety and protection, Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael and all the legions of angels to surround me and to minister to me and my loved ones all the days of our lives. I ask this in Jesus' Name and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord, Have Mercy on Haiti

Father Jean Jadotte, associate pastor of Miami's Notre Dame D'Haiti parish, sends these prayer intentions for Haiti.

-We are praying for hope despite this situation, that even as we face darkness, people may see a pinpoint of light.

-Praying for families.

-Pray for a greater conscience among everyone not just in Haiti but all over that we must do something [to help].

-Pray for a spirit of thanksgiving for international agencies for their good heart and good faith.

-Pray for relief workers to have a spirit of patience and perseverance.

-For those who at this time are in search of meaning in their lives and peace.

-Eternal rest grant these victims of the earthquake in Haiti oh Lord, may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all your faithfully departed, by your mercy, rest in peace. Amen.


For additional news and info on the earthquake, including pictures, videos and articles, as well as ongoing plans for relief services, visit:

American Red Cross

Catholic Relief Services

A Fresh Start - Prayer for New Year

Taken from the book Forty Personal Prayers (Part 1) by Msgr. Ruperto C. Santos, STL

Dear Lord Jesus,
We implore your blessing and guidance on the eve of the New Year

You give us this new year as a fresh start,
a golden chance to renew our life,
to straighten our ways,
to redeem our past.

You give us this new year like a new dawn,
a stepping stone,
an opportunity to correct our mistakes,
to rise from our failures,
to become better persons.

O Lord, we humbly ask you now
to bless us this new year...
may we put into action our resolutions,
may we translate into fine deeds our words and promises,
may we realize our plans,
may we work to make our dreams come true,
may we finish what we have started.

O Lord, we kindly ask you now
to guide us this new year...
make us find joy in spite of disappointments,
peace amid a busy schedule,
hope in the face of failures,
happy solutions to problems and troubles.

O Lord, we humbly ask you now
to be with us this coming new year...
May the new year find us discovering
a new meaning in our work,
a noble vision in our goal,
a stable direction in our life.

May we begin the new year with you in our hearts,
O God, may we use each day of the new year
to serve our brothers and sisters.

Amen.

*Today is also the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

Let Our Hearts Be Your Manger

A beautiful Christmas prayer taken from the book Forty Personal Prayers (Part 1) by Msgr. Ruperto C. Santos, STL

You are God and yet you chose to be one of us.
You are divine and yet you allowed yourself to be human.
You are in heaven and yet you came down to earth.

Born in a humble stable, you experience our pain and suffering.

Out of your great love you became man that we may be like God;
You became human that we may be divine;
You endured the cross and shed your blood that we may be saved
from sin and rise to new life.

O dear Jesus, now I know that Christmas is love.
You come in the flesh: God's love made visible.
I beseech you that I may have this love on Christmas day!

Love to those who have one one to wish them a merry Christmas.
Love to those who have no presents.
Love to those who have no new dress or new pair of shoes to wear.
Love to those who have nothing to eat.
Love to those who are homeless.
Love to those whose families are torn apart by the need to work in faraway places.

O dear Jesus, your birth is your gift of love to us.
We welcome you with love.
Let our hearts be your manger;
Let our life be your home;
Let our house be your kingdom.

O dear Jesus, your birth is God's precious gift to us.
If we can open ourselves to you,
If we can give up everything for you,
We will have a meaningful gift for you.
If we can share you with others it will be our best gift to them.

Truly, Christmas is not just a memory but a blessed living event.
For you are now born in our hearts and share our very life.

Amen.

Merry Christmas!

Prayer In Times of Calamity

I got this short prayer from our e-group and it is a very timely prayer especially now that we are in the midst of calamities one after the other. Let us pray.

Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your providence in sustaining us in our needs, and for Your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation.

We have not been good stewards of Nature.

We have confused Your command to subdue the earth

The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference.

Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption, and other natural calamities occur in increasing number and intensity.

We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.

We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made.

We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation, and be generous neighbors to those in need. Amen.

Prayer for Generational Healing

This prayer was given to us by Fr. Ed Fugoso during our Psychogenetics Retreat last month.

Prayer for Generational Healing

Heavenly Father, I come before you, in the blessed name of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit. I thank you for sending Jesus by whose holy blood and precious sacrifice I can be set free from the brokenness, sinful attitudes, and negative patterns of my ancestry. I thank you Father that you have called me to be free from all bondage in the name of Jesus, and I praise you that, in Christ, I shall be set free.

And now, Lord Jesus, gently reveal to me in the power of the Holy Spirit those ways in which I may be living out my ancestor's sin patterns. All of these sin patterns, known and unknown to me, in my life and in the lives of my ancestors I acknowledge them all before you, Father. I confess to you the evil inclinations, compulsions, and bad habits that have influenced us. I ask you to forgive me and all my ancestors for all these sins. In the name of Jesus and by His holy blood, set me free in You forever, Holy Father. Empty my soul of sin, and fill it with the holiness of Jesus.

Father, I ask for your forgiveness and cleansing of my family and me. Please cut me free from all curses or ill effects caused by ancestors' sins. If any evil spirits have gained entry into my life on account of my ancestors' sin, I bind them in the name of Jesus Christ and command them to leave me and go to Jesus Christ now! Thank you, Father, for the freedom that is mine through Jesus. I praise you now and forever. Amen!

I claim the Lord Jesus Christ as my true inheritance and I thank you, Father, for the most wonderful gift of your Holy Son. I bless you Jesus, that You have come to show me my true roots, which are within the very heart of God the Father. I praise you Holy Trinity, those whom the Son sets free are free indeed.

Hallelujah! Amen!